Blog of Joy
Wednesday
Last night we had a hard frost and I am thinking I need to bring in the pumpkins and squash that are on the front porch, I like them there for decoration but I fear they will freeze and be no good. Time to decorate the inside of the house for fall I guess.The most interesting thing that happened in the last couple of days was our decision to drastically cut our electricity use after reading oklamouse's posts on minimal electricity use and how it affected their electric bill. We are not cutting back quite so much but we are trying our own experiment for a month. I still use the stove,dishwasher, washing machine and some other things. For us it is mostly just lights and the clothes dryer. Lights are off limits and I would have typically stopped using the clothes line by now I am keeping it up and DH is going to put a line up in the basement and we are trying to get more wear out of our clothes between washings. We have a game with the older kids and whenever you accidentally turn on a light you get a mark and the one with the least marks at the end of the month wins. It is amazing how often we reach for a light switch and we often left them on. We also unplug everything when not in use so none of those little lights that are on everything are lit. It may be hard to see the difference though as it is starting to get cold and the heat pump and furnance are running some know.
A couple of things I did the last few days are; Monday made butter and tortillas, Tuesday canned the plum ketchup, and today I am going to make bread. I got a Bosch a few months ago and I love it, yes I am using it today.
We also try to make all our bread products with fresh milled flour and my grinder is electric and I used it this morning too.Yesterday's dinner about 99% homeraised, I love that! Pork chops from our last pig, carrots from the garden, baked potatoes from the garden, milk from our goats and butter from our cream, oh and plum ketchup on the chops
. The sour cream for the potatoes was storebought and I think that is all. In the The Encyclopedia of Country Living by Carla Emery, one of the books that has influenced my life the most, she calls them independance days. The days when your food is your own, that is what I strive for. It doesn't happen as often as I like but it is the goal.Time to get away from the computer, my bread dough is ready to be put in the pans.
"Homestead" Projects going on right now -
Raising Meat Birds
Raising Calf
Milking Goats
Saving Cream
"Homestead" Projects recently finished -
Canned the Plum Ketchup
Made Plum Syrup
Dried Plums
Made Plum Jam
Happy homesteading!
It rained here today in our little part of Alabama.
The boys didn't get to play outside like they have been doing for the past several weeks. They are all crabby now and probably should just go to bed.
It seems that as the weather changes around here so do the attitudes, sunny days I get happy semi helpful boys, gloomy wet days and no one wants to do anything to help momma. Sorry guys I have to do everything everyday and so shall you one day.
I have added a play list so that you can listen to some music. If you are a reader of Eyes of Wonder/Jewel's blog then you might know some of it. I find such peace in listening to the music she has and from reading her blog. She lifts my spirit just when I need it.
I am looking forward to next weekend, DH will be home for a family weekend for the first time in well a while, it has been all Drill weekends for far too long.
We are doing a major cleaning of the house right now and the boys are learning how serious it is to do what momma says. They don't need toys, they were playing with granola bars and peppermint candies the other day. So I am going to downsize everything, if I can't make it fit into the toy box that Papa gave them then I guess we don't really need it. I will say that there are a few things that really won't fit in there and they will be kept, because I know that Rachel really enjoys playing with them.
I have written so many posts over the past several weeks and haven't posted any of them, not really sure why. Knowing me I got busy and just hit save, then when I go back and read over them I can't remember my train of thought so for now I am just keeping them to myself. As time allows I will try to post them.
Rachel is going to be 1 in just a few more short weeks, where has the year gone. She is getting so big, and is such a beautiful little girl. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful child. Not that they boys are not each just as special, there is just something about having a daughter that is different from having sons. I love them all and pray that the Lord is not done blessing us with children. Because each one of them is a blessing and I can not imagine my life without any one of them. It would be so lovely to have a few more daughters and sons.
The leaves here a beginning to change and it is so pretty, I am still getting used to watching everything change. Back in FL it might have cooled off for a day or two but you did not really get to see the fall rainbow that is on the trees. I am planning on going up to KY soon so that we can really see the leaves. I know that the drive up there will be just beautiful, it will be hard to get pictures, but I am going to see how well Thomas does with taking them while we are driving.
We have watermelons still growing in the garden, and a few cherry tomatoes. Sadly the weeds got the best of the garden this year, and then when the lawn mower died a sad little death, it was barely a month old. The yard has pretty much taken over. I am watching a mower up at that big store in town, if DH's check is enough for all the bills this week then I will get it and we can cut the grass for maybe the last time this year. Probably not considering how bad it has gotten. We do have a riding mower but it needs a lot of TLC, and it will really only cut the front yard as it is a different grass then what is around the rest of our place. So we've been able to some what maintain it, but it is getting a little shaggy now too.
One of the big purchases that I plan to do this coming year is a nice tiller, unless we are able to find a really nice used tractor. I would not mind one that comes with a bush hog and a tiller. I am leaning more towards just getting a second push mower, seeing if the rider still has some life in it and getting a really nice tiller. I really want to make our garden work next year.
The pigs are also something that I am having a really hard time with, our male is really getting mean. I am going to ask my Dad if he can come out this weekend and run Cowboy and at least two of the piglets to the butcher. I am unsure at this point how I will do pigs next year, perhaps we will only buy a female to raise for the pantry. Still need to pray about the best course of action on this one.
I am also looking at getting the supplies to build a real chicken coop and getting the ladies out of the barn. They really need to be able to run and scratch in the grass. I need to also locate a new rooster as ours has died, I was so saddened by this as he was such a nice rooster. But he was given to us full grown so he could have been older. I wonder if I should order chicks now so that they will be laying come Spring, or wait until Spring. I think that I will order now, and then I can still get babies from Co-Op in the Spring. I am also thinking about getting some turkeys, guineas, and ducks-even though we do not have a pond I think it would be fun to have ducks. Probably will not really get them, but who knows.
I am still after that milk cow, might contact the guy that is up in TN and see if he has any bottle calves this month and run up there and get one. I know that it will take longer before we have milk but we would know our girl and that could be a better thing for all of us in the long run.
I do still think about moving to a larger piece of land, but for now, at this point I think that we are just going to stay here, work on getting rid of as much debt as possible. Then if it is God's will, add on to this house sometime next year. It will be some what of a burden for the children and I while it is all going on, but it will be so worth it once it's all done. We are looking at adding 2400 sq ft, which will include a new kitchen/dining area, school/play area, a family closet/laundry room, the pantry, a bathroom all down stairs, then upstairs I think we are going to do 4 bedrooms and at least two more bathrooms. Then the old house will be converted into our new living room, with a guest room. That way should anyone want to visit they will have a place to stay that is semi-private. There will be a large bedroom, with a semi private bath, while the rest of the house will be seating, with our tv and other equipment. I am not ready to let go of it yet, but we are working on only a few hours a month, but we do have several movies that we enjoy and Franklin Springs Media is always working on new things that are just wonderful for the family. There are several programs that we all enjoy on TLC, Science, Discovery and other stations that I deem to be ok. But I am really thinking that we need to find a different way to view the programs we like, because the commercials are just terrible.
Today Thomas found an old car magazine of his Dad's and came out and asked why they had to have adds like this. I told him because they just do and to put it away, but now he has those images in his head, and there is no way to remove them.
Caleb has curled up on the couch beside me and fallen asleep, and then Midnight our cat has decided that he's not so bad when he's sleeping so she's trying to lay down on top of Caleb, silly kitty. She's starting to come out more and more during the day, but she is still some what cautious of the children. But I do think that she will come around and be a great family cat.
God is so good, He gives us breath everyday, He fills us with hope and the promises of His wonder. I love the Lord with every fiber of my being, because without him I would be lost. I know that if it was not for having God in my life I would not be the person I am today, and for that I am forever greatful.
I am off for now, please forgive me for any typos as sometimes my hands get faster than my brain. I tried to go back over everything, but sometimes things just slip through.
Enjoy this evening with your families and this beautiful fall weather.
Blessings,
Debi
Mom's Mac 'n' Cheese
Mom's Mac 'n' CheeseFrom Good Housekeeping
triple-tested at the Good Housekeeping Research Institute
1 package(s) (8 ounces) elbow macaroni
3/4 cup(s) (about 1 1/2 slices bread) fresh bread crumbs
4 tablespoon(s) butter or margarine, melted
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 tablespoon(s) all-purpose flour
1/4 tablespoon(s) dry mustard
1 teaspoon(s) salt
1/8 teaspoon(s) ground black pepper
1 1/2 cup(s) milk
8 ounce(s) (2 cups) Cheddar cheese, shredded
DIRECTIONS
1. In 3-quart saucepan, cook macaroni as label directs. Drain well.
2. Preheat oven to 350° F. Grease 9-inch square baking dish or
casserole. In small bowl, toss bread crumbs and 2 tablespoons melted
butter until moistened. Set aside.
3. To saucepan, add remaining 2 tablespoons butter over medium
heat. Add onion and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Add flour,
mustard, salt, and pepper; stir until blended. Stir in milk; cook,
stirring, until thickened. Remove from heat; stir in cheese.
4. Spoon macaroni into prepared baking dish. Pour cheese sauce over
macaroni. Sprinkle crumb mixture over top. Bake until bubbly and top
is golden, about 20 minutes. Let stand 15 minutes for easier serving.
COOKING INFO
Serves
--
Yield --
Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total time --
Oven Temp 350
Creamy Salmon and Broccoli Manicotti
Creamy Salmon and Broccoli Manicotti
prep 30 minutes
cook 30 minutes
bake 45 minutes
16 uncooked manicotti shells
4 cups water
4 slices lemon
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 pound salmon fillets
Parmesan Sauce (below)
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (4 oz)
1/2 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp salt
2 cups broccoli flowerets, thawed and drained (large pieces cut up)
1 can (4 to 4 1/2 oz) tiny shrimp, rinsed and drained
chopped green onion, if desired
cook and drain manicotti shells as directed on package; set aside. heat
water, lemon, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper to boiling in 10 inch
skillet; reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer 5 minutes. Add salmon.
Heat to boiling; reduce heat to low. Simmer uncovered 7 to 10 minutes or
until salmon flakes easily with fork. Carefully remove salmon with
slotted spatula; cool 15 minutes. Remove and discard skin and bones;
break up salmon.
Prepare Parmesan Sauce. Heat oven to 350F. Spray 2 rectangular baking
dishes, 11x7, with cooking spray. Mix ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese,
1/2 tsp pepper and 1/4 tsp salt in medium bowl. Stir in salmon and
broccoli. Spread 1/4 cup sauce over bottom of each baking dish. Fill
manicotti shells with salmon mixture. Place shells on sauce in baking
dishes. stir shrimp into remaining sauce; pour evenly over shells.
Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. bake uncovered about 45 minutes or until
hot and bubbly. Sprinkle with onion. 8 servings
Simplify: Use 2 cups flaked cooked or smoked salmon for the fresh salmon
fillet. Use 2 cups purchased Alfredo sauce instead of the Parmesan Sauce.
Do Ahead: Cover and refrigerate the assembled dishes up to 24 hours.
Bake 50 to 55 minutes.
Parmesan Sauce
3 tbsp margarine or butter
3 tbsp flour
1/4 tsp dried tarragon leaves
1/4 tsp pepper
2 1/2 cups milk
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Melt margarine in 2 qt saucepan over low heat. Stir in flour, tarragon
and pepper. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is
smooth and bubbly; remove from heat. Gradually stir in milk. heat to
boiling, stirring constantly. boil and stir 1 minute; remove from heat.
Stir in cheese until melted.
Source:
Betty Crocker Holiday
November 1999
Menu Plan Monday (on Tuesday)
A few things before I post our weekly menu and plans...
Lilli and Lauren spent the entire weekend at my parent's house. Lauren hasn't spent the night away since she was about 13 months old and we night-weaned. My mom kept her overnight for me for a couple nights in a row to get us through the hardest part. Well, she hadn't stayed anyplace since so I wasn't sure how she'd do.
She did great. I think she might have woke a couple times in the night for a drink but she does that at home too. I am so glad that she did well, I am hoping she can stay overnight occasionally to give me a chance to get caught up on housework that is difficult to do while she's here with me. We'll see.
Lilli spends the night at my parent's about once a week, so the whole weekend wasn't a big deal for her, but she was ready to come home on Sunday.
Alyssa (my niece) spent the entire weekend there too. My brother had to work all weekend (and work really late), and my SIL was with me at the retreat.
The scrapbook retreat was great. I did get quite a few pages done and I got a good start on my Disney album. I tried 'stitching' on my pages for the first time this weekend and I am now addicted. I really don't even sew very good, but it looks really cute on the paper. LOL. Who would have thought that I'd be stitching paper. LOL. It's all Vicki's fault, she wanted me to try it. She is an enabler. Ha. Her pages are all awesome. When I grow up, I want to be just like her ;)
The retreat is set up like a camp, with dorm-type rooms. Our room had a set of bunkbeds, twin on top, full on bottom, and another twin bed. Vicki slept up top, I slept on bottom, and a friend of ours slept in the other twin.
The retreat center was located in Bridgeman and was a great place. We scrapped on the main floor and slept on the upper floor, so we didn't have to walk outside from our rooms to our scrap room. We've had to do that before and it sucked (especially if it was raining or snowing).
The food was fantastic. The best food I've had at a retreat. Much of it was homemade and they were very 'open' about when you could eat. It was laid out in a buffet style and they just left it there for an hour or so. They even delayed breakfast on Sunday because there were only 3 of us awake at 8AM. Saturday nights are usually the late night, with people still scrapping at 3 or 4AM. (I'm not one of those people)
I am the early bird of the group and was the first one in bed on Friday night at 12:30AM. Saturday I made it until 1:30AM and was the second one in bed. I was the first one into the scraproom both mornings, Saturday at 6:30AM and Sunday at 7:30AM, Sunday I took my shower first and was still the first in there. There were about 24-28 people there in all.
On Saturday night they made us a hot apple cider that was awesome. It was called 'hot cinnamon-caramel apple cider. They served it with fresh whipped cream. It was fantastic. They left it in a hot jug all night so that we could have it whenever we wanted. Yum.
Lance spent the weekend at home resting. He has gotten our cold and it's quite painful for him to cough, so he's been taking it easy. Sneezing isn't so great either, so he's been pretty miserable for a few days now. He did say he was feeling a bit better yesterday so hopefully he's on the mend.
Here is our tentative meal plan this week:
Monday: Spaghetti and garlic toast (Lilli had parmesan noodles and garlic toast)
Tuesday: Baked Chicken (BBQ?), mashed potatoes and gravy, broccolli (Lilli's request)
Wednesday: Beef Stroganoff (crockpot) (the girls will eat in South Haven)
Thursday: Roast, potatoes, carrots (crockpot)
Friday: Fish Fry
Saturday: Steak, hot dogs (grill), baked potatoes, peas
Sunday: leftovers (or leftovers on Sat and grill today)
Here are our plans for the week:
Monday: Lance work 6-4, Lilli school 7:45-3:15. Lauren and I picked up a few items at the Hartford Hardings after we dropped Lilli off at school, then came home for the day. We were home for the evening as well, doing crafts and playing board games after Lilli's homework was done.
Tuesday: Lance work, Lilli school. Lauren and I are home for the day. We'll pick Lilli up and then come home for the evening. Games and crafts are on our agenda again, we had fun yesterday.
**my dad goes for his recheck with his back surgeon today, he's hoping to have some of his restrictions lifted...he has cabin fever. :)
Wednesday: Our busy day. Lance work. Lilli school. Lauren playgroup 9:30-11AM in Lawrence. Then I run Lauren to my parent's house and come back to volunteer at Lilli's school at noon. The teacher has been keeping all afternoon, from noon until 3PM. Then we'll head to my parent's after school to pick up Lauren and visit for a couple hours.
Thursday: Lance work. Lillli school. Lilli dance from 6-8PM. We plan for Lauren to stay home with Lance while we go to dance.
Friday: Lilli school. Lance might be off of work (he is on 4- 10 hour days), so we'll go cut wood (Lauren, Lance and I) during the day while Lilli is at school. I guess if it's nice, we may go back after Lilli gets out of school too. We'll see how the weather is, it's supposed to be nice according to the news this morning.
Saturday: We'll work on getting wood and try to get Lilli to my parent's house sometime in the early afternoon. She'll probably spend the night.
Sunday: More wood gathering (our weekends will look like this for the next couple months) if it isn't raining. Lilli has her horse lesson at 11. We'll pick her up from her lesson and head to my parent's for a visit in the afternoon.
**A funny story. I took Lauren to Hardings in Hartford yesterday morning after we dropped Lilli at school. We were coming out with our things and the delivery guy from the Golden Brown Bakery stopped me and mentioned how beautiful she was and talked for a minute. Then he asked if she could have chocolate. I said sure, thinking he was going to send something home with her. Nope. He went to his truck and came back with two HUGE chocolate on chocolate donuts, freshly made at the bakery that morning, and HANDED THEM TO HER! She was just thrilled as could be. She said, "Thank-you, thank-you, thank- you, chocolate donuts chocolate donuts chocolate donuts". She was so excited to have a huge donut in each hand that she didn't even take a bite for a minute. It was very funny.
Of course I couldn't take them from her, so she ate them all the way home (about 15 minutes). You should have seen her face when we got home. Oh, and her hair and clothes and car seat and shoes...LOL. It was quite the mess, but she was so happy, it was very worth it. I still can't believe that he gave her those things. LOL. What a mess. :)
Bible Bee
I stumbled onto this today and thought that it sounded like such a wonderful idea - this could be something that you could do with your local homeschool or Sunday School group.Here is an excerpt about what a Bible Bee is:
What is the Bible Bee?
The Bible Bee is a refreshing and motivating Bible memory competition for children and youth. It is very similar to a spelling bee, except contestants are required to recite Bible passages and facts rather than spell words.
To read more about this check out the Bible Bee website. Wouldn't it be wonderful to be able to have our kids say Bible verses the way that they can rattle of their spelling words (or songs from commercials)? This would even be neat to do in your own household and then have the kids and the parents participate in their own Bible Bee - when we memorize the Scriptures as well, we are leading our kids by example. I think when we do that (lead by example) it shows them just how important that particular thing is - for example how can we honestly expect our kids to write a letter if they never see their parents doing it??????
Million Calorie Chocolate Chip Pound Cake
Million Calorie Chocolate Chip Pound Cake
1 lb. softened sweet butter
3 cups sugar
6 large eggs
4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup whole milk
1/4 cup heavy cream
2 teaspoons homemade vanilla or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract
1 lb bittersweet chocolate chips
-
Preheat your oven to 300 degrees.
-
Grease a 10 inch tube pan and lightly flour. I also suggest that you line the bottom with parchment paper and have it come up the side an inch or so, as some batter leaked from the bottom.
-
In a large mixing bowl by hand or with a beater, cream the butter and sugar till light and fluffy.
-
Then add 1 egg at a time, beating well till incorporated.
-
Alternating add the flour and milk stirring by hand with a wooden spoon.
-
Add the extracts and combine the cake batter till well blended.
-
Fold in the chocolate chips till incorporated evenly in the cake batter.
-
Carefully add the batter to the tube pan, smoothing the top to make sure it is even.
-
Bake till a tester comes out clean anywhere from 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
-
Cool the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes then turn it out onto the rack to cool.
He Is Faithful!
He Is Faithful!
Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands.
Deuteronomy 7:9 NIV
__________________
He is the LORD our God:
his judgments are in all the earth.
He hath remembered his covenant for ever,
the word which he commanded to a thousand generations.
Psalm 105:7,8 KJV
__________________
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;
Hebrews 10:23 NASB
__________________
I prayed to the LORD my God and made confession, saying,
"O Lord, the great and awesome God,
who keeps covenant and steadfast love with
those who love him and keep his commandments."
Daniel 9:4 ESV
__________________
God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
I Corinthians 1:9
Tamales With Roasted Green Chilies And Cheddar Cheese
I haven't tried these but they sound wonderful!
Tamales With Roasted Green Chilies And Cheddar Cheese
Makes 12
2 1/2 cups prepared corn masa
1/2 cup diced chiles
3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese, or pepper jack
12 whole, pitted black olives
Aprox 30 dry corn husks
Soak at least 30 husks in hot water for 20 minutes to soften. Once
softened, remove from water, separate, and shake off excess water.
Tear some husks 1/4 inch wide to form 24 strips to tie the ends with.
Meanwhile, in a large bowl, mix together the masa, chiles and cheese.
Take 1/4 cup at a time and place in the center of a large husk. With
your fingers, press dough ball into a 3 inch rectangle. Push one
olive into the center of dough. (This is traditional.
husk on top. Then roll from the long sides to form a cylinder shape.
Pinch and gently twist the ends and tie, snugly, being careful not to
break the husk tie. Continue until you have made 12 or so tamales.
When ready to cook, place in a steam pot and cover tightly and steam
the tamales for 30 to 35 minutes over simmering water, being careful
that your water does not cook away, add water if necessary. Do not
crowd the tamales too close together. Tamales are done when they feel
firm to the touch but not hard, and the dough comes away easily from
the husk. Remove from pot and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Serve with salsa and sour cream.
Ag Day!
Today was a fun day. Our town had "Ag Appreciation Day". There was a small parade and Rob drove one of the tractors from work (he works on a wheat ranch) and Miriam rode with him. Then there was games in the park. There was a straw maze but I didn't know there would be an entry fee for that and I didn't bring cash, so we missed out on that one. Micheal was in the bib overall contest but he didn't get a prize, of course I thought he ws the cutest one! We had a pinic lunch in the park and the littles had fun playing. We got home in the early afternoon and I am tired.
Rob and Miriam in the parade
A horse race.
A sack race.
Even the adults got involved!While I am posting pictures -
Here is some corn we brought in a month or so ago. All in all I put up 73, 2-3 cup bags of corn. A record for me for corn!I made torilla soup for dinner and we are going to eat soon. I made it with one of our own chickens. Our broilers are not quite ready but they are close enough that I didn't by chicken at the store during my last shopping trip.
"Homestead" Projects going on right now -
Raising Meat Birds
Raising a Calf
Milking Goats
Saving Cream
Making Plum ketchup, still cooking down
Projects recently finished -
Sorted tomatoes
Made Plum Syrup
Dried Plums
Made Plum Jam
Cleaned out the garden, only the carrots are left
There you have it, the days of our lives, as of today.
Happy homesteading!
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